The Sydney Festival’s Unique Stage Set

A focal point at this year’s Sydney Festival — an annual celebration of art and culture that encompasses 100 events in more than 30 venues in the Australian city — was Higher Ground, an M.C. Escher–inspired “architectural sanctuary” designed by the Irish-born, U.S.-based artist known as Maser.

Built over a skeleton of six shipping containers by Staging Rentals & Construction Services and installed in Sydney’s Hyde Park, Higher Ground stood 20 feet tall and was swathed in hypnotically bright colors and stripes.

Attendees were free to explore the structure however they wanted during the course of the festival, which ran from Jan. 8–26. “The artist’s ultimate goal was to create a unique space for social interaction,” according to a Staging Rental press release.

It was an intriguing assignment for Staging Rentals. “The team really enjoyed the challenge of building the different-shaped spaces, and the colors made for an interesting project,” said Managing Director David Comer. “It has been a highlight for Sydney Festival, which continues to raise the bar each year on the experiences it provides for its audiences.”